Anthony Nolan

Anthony Nolan Saving lives through stem cells. Welcome to our page. We have created this page for you to share comments, feedback, questions, photos and videos.

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People who use this page often want to post messages of support for loved ones who have been diagnosed with a blood cancer. This is a really great thing to do, but we need to make sure you are aware of data protection requirements concerning privacy. If you want to name individuals who have been diagnosed with a medical condition, you must get their explicit consent before doing so. To protect privacy, we may remove posts which reveal confidential information about patients, transplants, any of our donors (including donors of blood stem cells , bone marrow or umbilical cord blood ), or anything relating to collections from our donors. You can find out more about data protection and privacy on the Information Commissioner’s website: http://www.ico.gov.uk/for_the_public.aspx or our website: http://www.anthonynolan.org/

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People may post medical tips and ideas in the page. Please remember that any content posted here should not be considered medical advice. You should discuss any questions or concerns about your health with your healthcare professional(s). Respect

Please keep all posts relevant and respectful of others. This is a safe space for people to communicate safely and comfortably. Anthony Nolan may, at our sole discretion, remove any posts which we consider inappropriate or offensive, including posts which are harassing, abusive, obscene, hateful, racist, sexist or homophobic, as well as posts which promote commercial products or illegal activities, or which violate Facebook’s terms of service. If you continue to post inappropriate or offensive messages we may remove you from the page. Our page is normally only monitored by us Monday-Friday 9am - 5pm excluding bank holidays in England and Wales. If you think someone is misusing the page or breaking the House Rules, or if you have any feedback on how to make this group a better space, please contact: social@anthonynolan.org.

“When Anthony Nolan came to my school to sign people up to their register, I didn’t hesitate to add my name. My family h...
20/03/2026

“When Anthony Nolan came to my school to sign people up to their register, I didn’t hesitate to add my name.

My family has seen first-hand the effect of blood cancer and how crucial donors are, my grandad lost his battle with leukaemia in 2013 after many years of illness. He was lucky enough to be matched with one of his brothers and received stem cell donation himself, which prolonged his own life for a number of years.”

Aaron joined the stem cell register after an inspiration school assembly; with the hope he could one day make a difference to someone in need of a transplant. Then a few years later, he received that lifesaving call and was asked to donate his stem cells.

“The donation for me was very straightforward and thankfully I felt no ill effects from it. I was fascinated to see how the whole process worked from start to finish.

I would encourage everyone who can to get registered, it’s a simple cheek swab which takes less than a minute and you could get the call just like I did, to say you have been match and can give someone the gift of a better life.”

A big thank you to Aaron for donating his stem cells to help a total stranger.

Do you know a school or college who could help us run a recruitment event and teach more 16-18-year-olds about the importance of donating stem cells? Tag them in the comments below and help us spread the word!

“The medical team just had no idea what the psychological impact of my treatments would be. I was treated very much from...
19/03/2026

“The medical team just had no idea what the psychological impact of my treatments would be. I was treated very much from a medical perspective, all very matter of fact.”

Ross was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma in 2010. He received an autologous stem cell transplant in 2017 and CAR-T in 2021 after relapse.

“Being hospitalised during my CAR-T therapy was a deeply isolating and emotionally draining experience. The psychological impact of being separated from my family hit hard, and psychological help was non-existent. I felt a sense of worthlessness and not really knowing myself or where I stood in life, or where I was going.

“Prior to CAR-T I had a bit of a meltdown. I had an appointment where they basically told me everything that could go wrong, and I had to decide to go ahead that day and sign a disclaimer. Before I could even ask questions, the nurse told me I don’t have to go ahead with it because there is a likelihood I will die through it. I felt I needed to talk to someone and received psychological support from Anthony Nolan and Lymphoma Action by calling both helplines. But apart from that, there was no support proactively offered.”

We hear far too often from patients who, like Ross, face the emotional weight of treatment without the emotional and psychological support they urgently need. This is reflected too in our recently published CAR-T patient experience report. No one should have to reach crisis point before being offered help, and we continue to call for proactive psychological support to be recognised as a core part of treatment.

Remember you can call the team on 0303 303 0303 or email patientinfo@anthonynolan.org. Our helpline is open 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays).

“It hit me hard. I couldn’t just sit there and do nothing- especially as a medic. I knew very little about blood cancer,...
18/03/2026

“It hit me hard. I couldn’t just sit there and do nothing- especially as a medic. I knew very little about blood cancer, but I reached out to Anthony Nolan and, with their support, set up a one-off donor clinic with some fellow students to help find a match for Karen.”

Back in 1998, when James was a student at Nottingham University, he found out his friend Karen had been diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia. Determined to help, he organised a donor clinic on campus, hoping someone could be her match.

After its success, James and his friends kept going, hosting more events and spreading the word, driven by the belief that students across the country could be the key to helping save lives.

"We wanted to give every student in the country the opportunity to join the stem cell register and we decided on a young and catchy name, Marrow."

From one campus to many, Marrow groups began spreading across the UK, with universities becoming the perfect place to inspire a new generation of potential donors.

Thanks to James and that original event, university students have been helping us save lives for over 28 years. Today, there are now over 35 Marrow groups, who have raised over £1 million and just last week celebrated another major milestone, recruiting 200,000 new donors to the stem cell register. 🙌

Are you part of our Marrow Alumni? Share your memories in the comments!

"I wanted to help because I love Uncle Philip and I want him to get better. I love it when our family spends time togeth...
16/03/2026

"I wanted to help because I love Uncle Philip and I want him to get better. I love it when our family spends time together - in the summer we went to Plymouth Lido and it was lots of fun to swim and drink hot chocolate in the sunshine. I thought climbing tors would be a good challenge because there's lots here where I live. I want to raise money to help Uncle Philip and other people like him who need stem cell transplants. He has been waiting for a long time." - Hallie, aged 11

Meet Hallie, who has decided to climb as many Dartmoor Tors as possible, whilst her uncle Philip is in isolation in hospital, to fundraise for Anthony Nolan! Hallie has decided to keep climbing Tors until Philip is able to come home and continue his recovery with his family by his side, and has already climbed 13 tors in just six trips!

“Earlier this year, after a long wait of several years, Hallie's much-loved Uncle Philip finally had his stem cell transplant to help combat a rare form of lymphoma. He is now facing a long period of recovery which includes the initial few weeks and possibly months in isolation.

“All money raised will go to Anthony Nolan - a charity which has given invaluable advice and support to Philip and our family, as well as many other people who are waiting for stem cell transplants." - Ellie, Hallie’s mum

As Hallie shows – you can take on your very own challenge to help support people just like Philip.

- £25 could cover the cost of 13 swab kits and postage to add more lifesavers to the register
- £40 could sign up a new stem cell donor who could go on to save a life
- £100 could go toward funding an Anthony Nolan Patient and Family Education Day

Take on your own walking challenge today: https://bit.ly/4srKoWR

16/03/2026

Four years ago, Charlie was diagnosed with aplastic anaemia – and needed a stem cell transplant to survive.

Without it, his chance of survival was low.

Thankfully, a donor was found, and Charlie received his lifesaving stem cell transplant – but many others don’t get that chance.

🫵 You could be that one person that someone is waiting for. Aged 16-30? Join the stem cell register today.

“Being diagnosed while pregnant was like having the ground disappear beneath me. It was terrifying, surreal, and complet...
15/03/2026

“Being diagnosed while pregnant was like having the ground disappear beneath me. It was terrifying, surreal, and completely disorientating. I had to make decisions no parent should ever face - balancing my own survival with the safety of my unborn child. There’s no handbook for that.”

Rita was around 24 weeks pregnant when she first became unwell – thinking she had the flu – but her symptoms kept getting worse. Her partner Paul became so worried that he took her to A&E - and after being blue-lighted to Bart’s Hospital, that they were told the devastating news that Rita had acute myeloid leukaemia.

“I was trying to process everything, but none of it felt real. I remember asking “What does this mean? I’m pregnant” and they told me I was just 12 hours away from death.”

Rita and Paul were advised to have a termination, as there was little research on having AML during pregnancy, and doctors were worried that the treatment would affect the baby. However, they chose to continue, feeling as though they had nothing to lose.

“I began very intensive chemotherapy, knowing I’d need a stem cell transplant to survive long-term. But as an Indian British woman, there were no suitable matches worldwide.”

During a routine check up Rita and Paul were suddenly told that she needed an emergency C-section at 35 weeks. Baby Saffron was born weighing just 4lb 2oz, with no immune system, so the new family remained isolated for weeks to protect her.

As Saffron grew up, Rita reached 5 years in remission, and then, against all odds, fell pregnant again with her second daughter Mya. But just three months after giving birth, Rita received heartbreaking news.

“I was told I had relapsed. And this time, I urgently needed a stem cell donor – but even after all those years, there was still no match. I was devastated.”

“Eventually, a matching donor was found - and it felt as though someone had handed me back the possibility of a future with my family. It wasn’t just a medical match - it was a lifeline, a second chance, a doorway back to the life I was desperate to stay part of.”

Now, Rita is enjoying life as a mother of two – with Saffron turning 18 this year!

“After everything I’ve survived, motherhood feels like a miracle I get to live inside every single day. It’s the privilege of being here, present, alive, and part of their world. That’s what means the most.”

This Mother’s Day we’re thinking of mothers like Rita, who have had to go through some of the most challenging times of their lives whilst also caring for their children. We’re also thinking of those whose children have been through challenging diagnoses and treatments, and those who are going through infertility and loss themselves.

You can read more about Rita's experience here: https://bit.ly/3N2gSb8

“This milestone belongs to everyone who has been involved with Marrow at university - you’re part of a legacy that is sa...
12/03/2026

“This milestone belongs to everyone who has been involved with Marrow at university - you’re part of a legacy that is saving lives.” - Cameron Fay, University Senior Manager

🎉 Today our Marrow volunteers hit an incredible milestone - they have signed 200,000 people up to the stem cell register!

That’s 200,000 people ready to save a life if they are ever found to be a match - which is absolutely huge.

“This milestone reflects the dedication and passion of the thousands of students who have volunteered with Marrow over the past 26 years. Marrow volunteers recruit one in four people who go on to donate through Anthony Nolan, making this network critical to our mission. Its impact is truly life-changing for patients in need of a stem cell transplant.”

We couldn’t be more grateful to every one of our Marrowers past and present - you're all lifesavers! 💚

We wanted to share an update following our post about the potential removal of Tecartus (brexu‑cel) as a treatment optio...
11/03/2026

We wanted to share an update following our post about the potential removal of Tecartus (brexu‑cel) as a treatment option for mantle cell lymphoma in England and Wales.

We know how worrying this situation feels for many families. That’s why we’ve now written to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Wes Streeting MP, asking the government to review NICE’s decision. Together with Blood Cancer UK and Lymphoma Action, we’ve also appealed the decision. We’re now waiting for the appeal hearing later this month.

We’re continuing to fight for patients to continue to have access to this treatment. CAR-T has been an important option for people with mantle cell lymphoma for over five years, and we will do everything we can to keep it on the NHS.

If you or a loved one is concerned or needs support, please remember we're here for you.
📞 0303 303 0303
📧 patientinfo@anthonynolan.org

“It's such an easy way to make a difference in someone's life.” Iwan joined the stem cell register at just 17, after le...
09/03/2026

“It's such an easy way to make a difference in someone's life.”

Iwan joined the stem cell register at just 17, after learning the importance of being a donor at a school assembly and deciding “it sounded like a really lovely thing to be able to do for someone.”

Then came the call he had been waiting for - he was a match for someone in need of a stem cell transplant, and was asked to donate his cells to help treat their blood cancer or disorder.

“I'd been identified as a possible donor before, but this was my first time being able to donate. I was a little bit nervous but the team from Anthony Nolan were supportive, I was mostly just excited to be able to help someone.”

Iwan went on to donate his stem cells at our Cell Collection Centre in Nottingham, a space dedicated to stem cell donations that helps us ensure the best possible experience for donors.

“It was very relaxing. Once I had been connected to the machine, I watched some films and played a game of scrabble with my mum. I think she was more nervous than I was, I was so relaxed I fell asleep!

A huge thank you to Iwan for joining the stem cell register and selflessly donating his stem cells to help give a stranger in need.

👀 Ever wondered what a day in the life looks like when you work at Anthony Nolan? It's International Women's Day, and we...
08/03/2026

👀 Ever wondered what a day in the life looks like when you work at Anthony Nolan?

It's International Women's Day, and we're sharing a glimpse into the roles of four amazing women who help save four lives every single day.

From growing the register, to supporting stem cell donors, to researching new scientific breakthroughs, and helping our incredible fundraisers power our work - every role is different, but every role plays a part in saving lives. 💚

“Seeing your stem cells in the bag knowing it could save someone’s life is something you won’t forget...” At just 16, B...
05/03/2026

“Seeing your stem cells in the bag knowing it could save someone’s life is something you won’t forget...”

At just 16, Bethany made the decision to join the stem cell register with the hope she one day might help a stranger in need.

Four years later, she received the email that she was a match and went on to donate.

“The process only took 3 hours due to how high my stem cell count was. Overall they took 7 million stem cells! Yes, you read that correctly. 7 million.

I felt perfectly fine after this and even went out and met with my best friend who lived nearby. I flew back to Belfast the next day.”

Sometimes, a patient’s treatment plan needs a little extra support. In certain cases, like Bethany’s, donors are asked to give lymphocytes as a “top-up” after a stem cell transplant, giving their recipient the very best possible chance of recovery.

“Then 4 months later, I was asked to donate my lymphocytes. The process was completely painless, and I literally sat and watched movies the whole time.

Honestly it just meant so much that such a little thing for me to do could create such a big difference for someone else.”

A big thank you to Bethany for donating twice to help a stranger in need.

If you’re aged 16-30 and eligible, you could be a match someone is searching for. As Bethany says:

“It’s the best experience ever. Please consider joining the stem cell register and potentially help save a life!”

“I was in hospital for about a month after treatment then a few days later I had to go back for a check-up. They sent ho...
05/03/2026

“I was in hospital for about a month after treatment then a few days later I had to go back for a check-up. They sent hospital transport for me that time – but a month later, I was expected to make my own way there. It was exhausting, but I made it. Then it was after that I started worrying about costs...”

Claire was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in June 2015 and received CAR-T treatment in 2019. The financial pressures she describes with simply getting to hospital is something we hear about all the time:

“My immune system was still frail, so I couldn’t get on busy trains and buses in rush hour. I asked if I could have a later appointment, but they said no. In the end I got a train the night before and booked a hotel in central London near the hospital. I had no hair and the lady on reception asked me if I was getting treatment at UCL and gave me a deal for next time I had time to stay, which was nice. Travelling every couple of weeks was so expensive.

“Then there’s work. I was lucky that my employer was good, they gave me nine months full pay, six months half pay. The difficulty was when I had a gap between my sick pay finishing and me finding out about Personal Independence Payment (PIP). I had about five months with no money coming in. Then even with PIP, it’s just not enough to pay my bills and all the extra costs that add up when you’re having to get to hospital regularly. My electric bill has more than doubled.”

Worryingly, Claire’s story is not unique. No one going through CAR‑T should be pushed into financial hardship just to reach the treatment that could save their life. It’s time for support to reflect the reality patients are living with every day. We’re calling for the National Cancer Plan’s travel fund to be widened so it supports cell therapy patients of all ages and conditions.

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